This past week, the second presidential debate was held at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. The debate, moderated by Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz, started off after two days of high political tensions. The debate was town hall styled, meaning that questions would come from everyday Americans, as well as the moderators. The candidates, Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, were free to move around the stage. The debate was clearly off to a rough start when the candidates did not shake hands.
The first question of the evening went to Clinton, in which a woman questioned the behavior of both candidates in the prior debate. This question quickly shifted to Trump’s leaked video, in which he insulted women. Trump was quick to apologize, and Clinton quickly seized on the moment and attacked Trump. Trump countered by attacking Bill Clinton and his past infidelities.
The debate shifted to Clinton’s email scandal which helped Trump land what was considered the line of the night: Clinton-“Its awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country.” Trump- “Because you’d be in jail.” This line was meet with thunderous applause from the audience. Trump continued to push, even saying that if elected he will hire a special prosecutor to look into her case.
The debate moved on to the second audience question, in which the audience member asked how each candidate would fix the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Clinton went first by stating she would save key aspects of the law, but avoided what she would fix. Trump followed by saying he would repeal the law and highlighted how important breaking down artificial lines between states would be. Trump did not lay out a replacement.
Another question from the audience quickly popped up regarding the treatment of Muslims in the United States. Trump was first and was quick to bring up ISIS and the need to destroy them. Clinton answered back by calling Trump out for his rhetoric towards Islamic people and outlined how she believes that Muslims should be treated in the United States. The topic morphed into the Syrian refugee crisis, in which both candidates want the gulf states to be more involved, and that tougher vetting is needed.
The debate once again turned to scandal over the WikiLeaks emails. Clinton was questioned on having what she referred to as a private and a public position on issues in the email. Clinton told a story in which that line was said in reference to what President Abraham Lincoln did during the civil war. Trump quickly fired back accusing Clinton of trying to blame the issue on “Honest Abe”.
The topic then shifted to the candidates tax plans. Trump said he would cut taxes and close the loopholes. He then used our current tax system as a reason for our current economic state. Clinton then attacked saying Trump’s plan is more for the rich then for the middle class, and that Trump has avoided paying taxes for years. She agreed with Trump for the need to close the loopholes and then proposed a new tax called “The Buffet rule.” Both candidates again went into personal attacks.
The debate moved to Syria, in which both candidates shifted towards topics of Russian involvement in the region and ISIS. The candidates agreed that ISIS must be eliminated and the Russians must be dealt with; however, they both candidates had different approaches on how this might be done.
The next question regarded being a leader for all Americans, not just those who vote for that particular candidate. Both candidates outlined how they want to be inclusive to all Americans, and minorities in particular. The conversation then morphed to Clinton’s comments calling Trump’s supporters a “basket of deplorables.”
The debate began to wrap up with both candidates discussing what they look for in a supreme court justice. Clinton wants a justice that takes the context of the situation into consideration during deliberation. Trump wants a justice that will reflect the late justice Antonin Scalia. Trump wants someone who will stick with the constitution and more conservative values.
The debate shifted to the now famous Kenneth Bone and his question on energy. Clinton stuck with her past positions on moving away from fossil fuels and moving faster towards green energy. Trump said he wants an energy revolution with more fossil fuels, but at the same time growing green energy.
The debate ended with a question in which candidates were asked to name one positive thing they respect about each other. Clinton said she respects his children. Trump said that Clinton is a fighter who does not give up. However, like Clinton, he went back to what he does not respect in her.
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